The Anambra State Government has presented a cheque for the sum of two hundred and eleven million, one hundred and sixty-eight thousand, one hundred and twenty -five naira (N211,168,125 million) to the Catholic Mission in the State for the reconstruction of schools handed over to them.

Governor Willie Obiano made the presentation at Shanahan Hall, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha. The funds are for the 433 schools that were handed over to the Catholic Mission by the State and under the phase, the schools have a maximum of 6 weeks to execute the chosen projects.

Presenting the cheque, Governor Obiano who said basic education is very fundamental for the complete formation of the child, explained that the money was given according to the number of schools handed over to the Catholic Mission.

He commended the Catholic Mission for the judicious utilization of funds released initially by his government and urged the Church under the present phase, to focus on schools in the rural places.

The Governor promised that his government will sustain the donation to the mission schools throughout the duration of his tenure, even as government continues the upgrade of government and community schools across the state.

The Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha who observed that the donation is consistent with the vision of the present administration to meet the learning needs of all Ndi Anambra, said the partnership with the Church is working and will help the state achieve moral and value-driven education.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Chief Nzemeka Olisa said an action plan has been drawn for the execution of projects in the various schools under the phase to ensure effective implementation and monitoring.

Receiving the cheques on behalf of the Catholic Mission, the Archbishop and Metropolitan, Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke said by sustaining the release of funds to the church, Governor Obiano is sustaining the tradition of excellence and posterity will remember him as the children will grow to remember the inputs he made for them to excel.

In a vote of thanks, The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Hillary Odili-Okeke thanked the Governor on behalf of the Catholic Community for the gesture and promised that the funds will be judiciously utilized.

• Sourced from a Tribune report

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